Chapter 796 - There were actually four
In the back courtyard of Yue Ling and Lu Tian's home, Liu Shan, Xu Long, Lin Hui, Wolf Team, and Alpha Team gathered in a neat formation. The look on every person's face was as if Xu Long's exaggerating act had never happened.
Lu Tian stood alone with his back to the house as he faces the group of men. His dark pupils scan each person's face like a mighty general preparing his soldiers for battle.
"Everyone did a good job today. We'll pick up again tomorrow."
His words fell calmly like any good leader praising their team members. However, everyone facing him was struck speechless.
Xu Long and Wolf Team stare at the aloof man with questioning eyes. Throughout the many years they have been working under Lu Tian, he had never praised them to such an extent. The most he would do say is 'good job'. If not, then a simple nod.
Where is their coldblooded and heartless boss? Who is this person? Looks just like their boss but at the same, a completely different person.
Each person slowly shifts their attention to the house. Without a doubt, their boss's odd behavior towards them is because of their lady boss.
While Lu Tian's team thought this way about him, his wife's team thought otherwise. Liu Shan, Lin Hui, and the rest of Alpha Team were beguiled by the aloof man's treatment towards his subordinates.
Forget cold and ruthless. He (Lu Tian) actually has a heart and cares about his people.
Lu Tian was insensitive about everyone's thoughts towards him. His dark eyes scan the group again as his next words fell.
"With the house under construction, my wife and I will be leaving for the night."
His gaze soon fell upon three specific people, but it didn't stay on them for too long.
"Since the house will be unoccupied, my wife has given permission for those who wish to spend the night here."
He raises his left hand to check the time on his watch. Seeing how fifteen minutes had already passed, he gets straight to his point.
"No one here is obligated to stay. This is only a given option from my wife. As for those who leave, remember to return tomorrow to finish your task."
The second his last word was spoken, three arms quickly rise high into the sky. He looks at the three people, and he sighs deeply inside.
"Liu Shan, Xu Long, Lin Hui."
He calls their name, and each person lowers their arms like good students in a class. Together, all three men take one giant step forward and break formation from the rest.
Liu Shan: "Fear not. I will guard the residence with my life or die trying."
Xu Long: "Me too. If I fail to do my duty, my name isn't James Long Bond."
Lin Hui: "Bro, your name was never James Long Bond."
Those who didn't come forward were at a complete loss as they stare at the three men. In their mind, they couldn't decide whether Liu Shan, Xu Long, and Lin Hui were being brave for being the firsts to step forward, or if they were being shameless for wanting to take advantage of their boss's vacant house.
Lu Tian was thinking the exact same thing as everyone else. When his wife brought up the suggestion, he wanted to refute it because he had anticipated that these three men will be the first to raise their hands.
He knew this because of all the past events that happened. When these men could spend the night, they were like a bunch of children excited for a sleepover.
At one point, he even had an outrageous thought of three men being the perfect example of his and Yue Ling's children….
Quickly as he was reminded of this, he frowns with upside-down lips and smacks the thought to the back of his head. It'll be over his dead body that his kids end up like these three idiots.
Inhaling a deep breath, he returns to his usual indifference and looks behind the three men before back to them.
"Only the three of you?"
"Negative boss."
Xu Long answers with hands behind his back like a soldier with the will to live. He straightens his back until he stood tall and meets his boss in the eyes.
"There is one more person."
Lu Tian arches an eyebrow at his assistant's response. He didn't need to ask as Xu Long, Liu Shan, and Lin Hui had turned their heads to look at the person in question.
Seeing their movements, everyone else also follows in pursuit to see who this person was. To their surprise, it was none other than the only man, excluding Lu Tian, wearing a shirt.
Qi Li stood in the far back left side with an indifferent expression. Seeing that Gui Zhongmin, who stood in front of him, had turned around to look at him, and Shan Sinan, who was to his right, was also looking at him along with everyone else, he sighs aloud.
He looks at Lu Tian and meeting the man's eyes, he could only heave another sigh. He takes a step out of formation and walks over to join the three men in the front.
His right arm raises and fixes his glasses in place.
"I guess I can be the fourth person."
Liu Shan, Xu Long, and Lin Hui were thrilled to have the man wearing glasses join them. Each person gave him a thumbs up with his head held high and a huge grin. The look on their face was as if saying, 'this is going to be the best night ever.'
When Xu Long mentioned him (Qi Li), all three were a little nervous about their request for him to join. He (Qi Li) had indeed been part of their group, but he always turns down their invitation when it comes to hanging out.
If it wasn't an order from Yue Ling, then his answer towards everyone else was always no.
Lu Tian was undoubtedly amused by the scene that unfolded in front of him. He looks at all four men and sighs inside. It seems like he had miscounted when he said, three people.
There were actually four.
He had forgotten about Qi Li because the young man was the quietest compare to the other three. Despite the cold air around him, if one didn't talk to him (Qi Li), one would tend to forget that he was even there.
He felt it wasn't so bad to have Qi Li agree to stay the night looking at the four men again. At least one of them is normal.
That way, if the other three decide to do something unethical, Qi Li can talk some senses in then, the least, try.
He looks at the men standing in front of him and parts his lips to speak.
"Everyone here is well aware of the incident with Tao Meng and Red Moon. Whether you are here or elsewhere, so long as you are in Imperial, no one is to let their guard down."
Jiangyu slightly pursed his lip. He and everyone else from Wolf Team are well aware of the situation with Red Moon. It is also the reason why they are here in the first place.
However, something was bothering him.
He looks at his boss and takes a small step forward.
"Boss, does this mean that Red Moon is planning to sneak an attack? If so, what about you and the lady boss's safety?"
The second his question was asked, everyone else couldn't help but look at Lu Tian for an answer. If it's true that Red Moon is planning to sneak an attack, shouldn't they be around to secure the safety of their bosses instead of letting them (Yue Ling and Lu Tian) leave alone for the night? What if something happens?
Lu Tian knew what everyone was thinking, and he would be lying if he isn't worried about his wife's safety, but this was for the best. He looks at each person, and he answers the question.
"My wife and I will be heading to a place neither Tao Meng nor his men can enter. As for their plan, it is unconfirmed. However, be it alone or together, if they appear in front of you, you are authorized to kill."
He glances at the setting sun on the horizon, and his eyes dimmed a shade darker.
"Take no prisoners."
The darkness that clouded his eyes disappears with any feelings that appeared on his face. He turns around and walks towards the house.
"Everyone is dismissed."
He had only taken two steps when he stops in his tracks. He turns back to look at the group, and he frowns in ponder.
Jiangyu noticed his sudden stop, and he struggles a hard gup when he saw the dangerous expression on his boss's face. He musters his courage and asks timidly.
"Boss, did you forget something?"
Lu Tian looks at the bulky shirtless man then at everyone else, excluding Qi Li. He steadied his entire being and spoke his mind before walking away.
"No one is allowed to enter the house shirtless. That's an order."
"…"